Deutsche Grammophon is doing some weird things with Claudio Abbado's Beethoven--issuing, reissuing, and re- reissuing performances coupled every which way at different price levels--in a semi-desperate effort to prove th... more &raquoat these performances are worth owning. They are not. Abbado's Beethoven generally suffers from a sense of routine that makes it completely noncompetitive with numerous versions by the likes of Leonard Bernstein, Karl Böhm, and Herbert von Karajan on this same label. Puzzling. --David Hurwitz&laquo less

Synopsis

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Deutsche Grammophon is doing some weird things with Claudio Abbado's Beethoven--issuing, reissuing, and re- reissuing performances coupled every which way at different price levels--in a semi-desperate effort to prove that these performances are worth owning. They are not. Abbado's Beethoven generally suffers from a sense of routine that makes it completely noncompetitive with numerous versions by the likes of Leonard Bernstein, Karl Böhm, and Herbert von Karajan on this same label. Puzzling. --David Hurwitz

CD Reviews

A Fresh Authentic Beethoven

Khaled El-bizri | Palo Alto, CA USA | 06/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Claudio Abaddo plays Beethoven with an earnest and imaginative authenticity. His clarity of tone and rich orchestral expression - two distinguishing characteristics of Maestro Abaddo - takes one into an extraordinary feast.After Abaddo, it is difficult to think of other Beethoven conductors who expressed Beethoven in the language of our time. That is probably why this recording and others by Maestro Abaddo, are and will be enjoyed by thousands."

A leisurely stroll through the country

Joshua L Wright | Royal Oak, MI United States | 09/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I picked up this CD for about $6 US and I have not been dissappointed.

As other reviewers have said, this is a solid 6th. Abbado's opera background gives him a good grip on the imagery and drama of this piece, if he does take it a bit too slow. Nevertheless, it does not disappoint, and I enjoy it a lot.

Abbado's 8th is much better than many recordings. Most conductors seem to be doing the 8th just to fill out the box set or the second half of a CD. The 7th is the greatest of all Beethoven symphonies and the 9th is something on a completely different level from any other piece of music ever written, so its easy to overlook the 8th. Beethoven thought the 8th was his best, though, and it has a subtle power and eloquence throughout that finally bubbles to the surface in one of Ludwig's best finales. In a way it is a look back at the era of C.P.E. Bach, Haydn and Mozart rather than a look forward to the romantic era. Or perhaps even a look past romanticism to the neo-classicism of the 20th century (ok I know that's a stretch).

Hurwitz is obviously not a fan of Abbado's Beethoven or DG's marketing department so take the editorial review above with a grain of salt.

All that said, unless you find as good a bargain as I did, get the Szell 6th (and 8th!) on Sony. It's better and cheaper."

Don't listen to the Bad reviews

T. G. Mayer | 08/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don't listen to David Hurwitz. I own this disc and it is much better than the version I have with Karajan, Klemperer, Haitink and others I have listened to. This is the way the sixth is supposed to be, relaxed and expansive, not rushed and cold. The second movement is the best I have listened and the storm movement has power. Make your own judgement. I'm always looking for the perfect Sixth and this is currently the best. I'm also after the version with Rene Leibowitz and the Royal Philharmonic."

Far too middle of the road - but Abbado would get better

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/25/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Abbado's eqrly cycle of the Beethoven symphonies with the Vienna Phil. did little to enhance his reputation and much to affirm that he could be bland and uninspired. But he had a tremendous capacity for personal growth as a musician, and in recent years his live readings of Beethoven with the Berlin Phil. have drawn awed responses. This stody Sixth and Eighth are best forgotten. They come in so-so sound, the orchestra is by no means energized, and Abbado himself has no ideas to communicate. I can't quite understand why the reviewer below who calls this CD a stroll in the countryside thinks that he's bestowing praise."